MSHS Plant Show a Success

The MSHS Plant Show at the Minnesota State Fair makes for a hectic, exciting two days for our volunteers. But what gorgeous plants were on display for gardeners, aspiring gardeners and plants lovers to admire, last Thursday and Friday in the Horticulture Building of the fair.

This year, in addition to the plant show and competition, the flower room was filled with five special displays. The Twin Cities Rose Club offered information on growing roses and a chance to participate in a “smell test” to see which of three roses had the most popular fragrance.  The Shades of Green Hosta Society had lots of information on Hosta Virus X, growing hostas and different types of hosta as well as some pretty displays of miniature hostas in containers. According to the Shades of Green website, more than 2,500 people visited the hosta display during the two days of the show. Wow! The Minnesota Mycological Society had a very enlightening display on edible mushrooms and the Minnesota Carnivorous Plant Club had pitcher plants and other carnivorous species on display.

The final display was close to our hearts. It was a display of cacti and succulents in memory of Malcolm Burleigh, a long-time volunteer at MSHS, a board member and a dedicated educator and collector of cacti and succulents. He was a source of information and encouragement to many gardeners and plant show participants. He died this past summer and will be very missed.

The special displays and the competition are inspiring and educational for thousands of vistors. Thanks to all the volunteers, especially co-chairs MaryDon Beeson and Chuck Levine, who work so hard to make this show a success.